Fang Han paid no heed to the gasps around him, his entire focus concentrated on the sword in his hand.

His Inner Qi surged and poured into the blade. The Cyan Blade Sword began to tremble slightly, and the air around it swirled, converging and compressing with a low, mournful hum.

A peerlessly sharp Sword Momentum, seemingly capable of tearing anything apart, radiated from him. Disciples standing too close felt their skin prickle and instinctively took half a step back.

Sky Splitting Gold-Breaking!

The Cyan Blade Sword became a flash of cyan lightning, tearing through the air. It struck the smooth face of the Martial Arts Stele with a speed nearly impossible to follow with the naked eye.

It was the perfect fusion of the Great Success Level Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship’s power and the sheer might of his Seventh Grade Inner Qi.

"BOOM!!!"

A massive bang, deeper and far more violent than in any previous test, suddenly erupted.

The Martial Arts Stele erupted in a brilliant radiance. The light was so intense it was like a miniature sun had suddenly risen, bathing the entire White Jade Plaza in a blinding white light that was impossible to look at directly.

The face of the stele shook violently. Ripples spread out with an unprecedented intensity, as if the entire monument was shuddering from the blow.

Next to Fang Han’s name, the number indicating his rank began to jump!

Three... Two... One!

The number abruptly froze—One!

Surpassing Li Feng, and even overtaking Yun Qianyue who had long held the top spot, he was now number one in the Sub-Branch!

The entire plaza instantly fell into a dead silence.

Everyone stared, dumbfounded, at the name sitting atop the rankings on the stele’s surface, as if they had been turned to stone.

After a moment of silence, an uproar erupted like a volcano.

"First! Fang Han shot up to first place!"

"He surpassed Yun Qianyue!"

"Talent like that is just too terrifying!"

Cries of shock, shouts of admiration, and sharp intakes of breath intertwined. Everyone’s gaze was fixed on the calm-faced Fang Han, who stood holding his sword, their expressions filled with utter shock.

Had it not been for Fang Han’s feud with Chu Feng, a True Inheritor on the Celestial Pride List, they would have already swarmed him. But no one wanted to be implicated by association.

Xiao Chen pumped his fist fiercely, his face filled with excitement and pride, as if he were the one who had reached the top of the list.

Fang Han slowly sheathed his sword and let out a slow breath.

Gazing at his name at the top of the list, he felt little excitement, only a calm nonchalance that came with achieving a natural, expected result.

He turned, gave Xiao Chen a slight nod, then parted the still-shocked crowd and walked steadily back towards his residence.

Behind him, the massive wave of clamor did not subside for a long, long time.

News of Fang Han breaking through to Seventh Grade and topping the Sub-Branch’s rankings spread like wildfire, circulating through the entire Sub-Branch at an astonishing speed.

Li Feng was practicing with his saber. Upon hearing the news, his flashing blade suddenly froze, its tip trembling slightly.

He was silent for a moment. His cold, stern face showed no emotion, but the knuckles of the hands gripping his saber turned white from the force.

Then, far from being discouraged, an even more intense fighting spirit ignited in his eyes. He muttered in a low voice.

"Seventh Grade... Very good! Now this makes for a worthy chase!"

With that, he resumed his cultivation, the slashes of his saber growing even more ferocious.

Meanwhile, in another residence within the Sub-Branch, Yun Qianyue was dressed in purple robes.

After hearing the female disciple’s report, a faint ripple passed through her eyes, which were as cold as a frozen pond and hidden behind her purple veil. It was a look of resignation, of understanding, that finally dissolved into a nearly inaudible sigh.

’As expected... He still surpassed me.’

She had long anticipated this day, but she never thought it would come so quickly, so suddenly.

She looked up in the direction of the C-block residences, her gaze complex—a mix of disappointment, relief, and a barely perceptible trace of... ease?

’Perhaps holding the top spot for so long was a form of invisible pressure, after all.’

Naturally, the news also reached the ears of the Dean, Elder Chen Xuan.

He slowly raised his head, his face filled with incredulous shock, and murmured, "From the Early Stage of Ninth Grade to Seventh Grade... in one year?"

The shock was followed by an indescribable feeling of gratification.

He felt gratified that he had resisted the pressure back then and staunchly protected Fang Han, preventing this prodigy of the Martial Dao from being crushed before he could flourish.

...

Twilight deepened, blanketing the Sub-Branch in a hazy, gray-blue light.

Disciples of the Sub-Branch gathered in twos and threes, talking in low voices, their conversations mostly revolving around Fang Han becoming the new number one of the Sub-Branch.

Upon hearing this news, Chen Ying kept his head down and hurried along the bluestone path, heading out of the Sub-Branch.

He had once undertaken a mission with Fang Han, fighting side by side. If Fang Han hadn’t turned the tide of battle, he would have perished then and there. It could be said that Fang Han had saved his life.

That gratitude and camaraderie were genuine at the time.

But later, Fang Han offended Chu Feng, a True Inheritor on the Celestial Pride List.

Driven by pragmatic considerations and his own cowardice, he chose to distance himself from Fang Han, and even... chose another path.

He walked faster and faster, nearly breaking into a run as he left the Sub-Branch’s territory and hurried towards Weiyuan.

In a corner of Weiyuan, inside a residence, Song Xiang was leisurely sipping tea while listening to a disciple’s report.

As one of Chu Feng’s spokesmen among the ordinary disciples, he lived a rather comfortable life, with many other disciples flocking to his side.

A soft knock sounded at the door, the rhythm betraying a sense of urgency.

Song Xiang waved the disciple away and said flatly, "Come in."

Chen Ying pushed the door open and entered, his breathing slightly rushed.

He looked at the seated Song Xiang and forced a somewhat stiff smile, his voice tinged with unconcealable nervousness.

"Senior Brother Song..."

Song Xiang glanced up at Chen Ying, unsurprised by his arrival, as he had already developed Chen Ying into an informant. However, the awful look on the other’s face made him frown slightly.

He set down his teacup, his tone flat and calm.

"What has you so flustered? Is there some news about Fang Han?"

"Ye... Yes, Senior Brother Song."

Chen Ying swallowed, trying to steady his voice.

"Fang Han... he went to the Martial Arts Stele for a test today..."

A flash of impatience crossed Song Xiang’s eyes as he gestured for him to continue.

"He... He has broken through to the Seventh Grade Inner Qi Realm! And... and his rank... he surpassed Yun Qianyue. He’s... number one in the Sub-Branch now!"

Chen Ying said it all in one breath, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders, yet he also felt a wave of exhaustion.

"What?!"

Song Xiang’s leisurely posture instantly stiffened. The calm on his face shattered, replaced by utter astonishment and a trace of disbelief.

He slammed his teacup down, leaned forward, and fixed his sharp, blade-like gaze on Chen Ying.

"Seventh Grade? Number one in the Sub-Branch? Are you sure this information is correct?!"

"It’s absolutely true! Many disciples saw it with their own eyes, and his name really is at the top of the Martial Arts Stele right now!"

Chen Ying nodded hastily, his tone certain.

Song Xiang’s expression turned completely grim. Seventh Grade! Number one in the Sub-Branch!

How much time had passed? How long had it been since the end of the Seven Sects competition, when Fang Han had revealed his Mid-Stage Eighth Grade Cultivation?

Fang Han had broken through again! And in one fell swoop, he had surpassed Yun Qianyue, who had such a deep foundation!

This speed of advancement was simply unheard-of!

A strong sense of crisis welled up in Song Xiang’s heart.

’If Fang Han is allowed to keep growing like this, it won’t be long before it becomes extremely difficult to suppress him, even for Senior Brother Chu, a True Inheritor on the Celestial Pride List!’

’I have to act quickly. I absolutely cannot let Fang Han continue to grow so smoothly!’

A cold light glinted in Song Xiang’s eyes as several thoughts flashed through his mind.

He looked up at the anxious Chen Ying, his usual, somewhat reassuring smile returning to his face, though the smile didn’t reach his eyes.

"Junior Brother Chen, you’ve done well. This news is very important."

Song Xiang’s voice slowed, taking on a deliberately gentle tone.

"Keep an eye on Fang Han’s movements, especially whether he accepts any missions. The moment you have news, report to me immediately."

"Yes, Senior Brother Song, I understand."

Chen Ying quickly bowed in agreement, feeling slightly more at ease.

"Go. Be careful not to arouse suspicion," Song Xiang said with a wave of his hand.

As if granted amnesty, Chen Ying bowed again and hurriedly left the room.

After Chen Ying left, the smile vanished from Song Xiang’s face, replaced by a grave expression.

He paced around the room for a few steps, musing for a moment before finally making up his mind. He straightened his robes and strode out the door, heading towards the True Inheritance Courtyard.

The True Inheritance Courtyard was located in the core region of Qingxuan Mountain. Its environment was quiet and secluded, with pavilions and towers scattered elegantly—a world away from the Sub-Branch or Weiyuan.

Song Xiang arrived outside Chu Feng’s private courtyard. After being announced, he was led into an elegantly furnished study where the faint scent of sandalwood burned.

Seeing Song Xiang arrive, Chu Feng asked flatly, "What is it?"

Song Xiang bowed and saluted, his respectful tone laced with urgency. "Senior Brother Chu, I just received news. That Fang Han from the Sub-Branch... has broken through to the Seventh Grade Inner Qi Realm. And in today’s test at the Martial Arts Stele, he surpassed Yun Qianyue to become the new number one of the Sub-Branch!"

*Click.*

Chu Feng slowly turned around. His handsome face, which usually wore an arrogant expression, showed little emotion now. Only his deep eyes revealed a flash of quickly suppressed shock, followed by a deeper, colder wariness.

The air in the study seemed to freeze for a moment.

"Seventh Grade... Number one in the Sub-Branch..."

Chu Feng repeated in a low voice, his tone steady, yet it seemed to carry a certain pressure.

He walked over to the desk and sat down, his fingertips lightly tracing the smooth surface of the purple sandalwood.

"I recall that during the Seven Sects competition, he was only at the Middle Stage of Eighth Grade."

Chu Feng looked up, his gaze falling on Song Xiang. Though it was framed as a memory, his tone was one of confirmation.

"Yes, Senior Brother, your memory is correct. The boy’s promotion speed is truly... truly beyond reason."

Song Xiang replied with his head lowered, a bead of sweat forming on his temple.

Chu Feng fell silent. The only sounds in the study were the faint whisper of the wind outside the window and the soft breathing of the two men.

’Fang Han’s growth has far exceeded my initial expectations.’

’I originally thought he was just an ordinary disciple with a bit of talent, someone who would crumble after a little pressure. I never expected him to be a deeply hidden genius whose growth is so explosive.’

’From Ninth Grade to Seventh Grade in a single year, and taking the top spot in the Sub-Branch... Such talent is astonishing, even in the Qingxuan Sect, which is filled with geniuses.’

’If I give him a few more years, he might actually pose a threat to my position... and maybe even... climb onto the Celestial Pride List?’